Method of and apparatus for casting stereotype plates



' July 7, 1925.

H. C. GAMMETER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING STEREOTYPE PLATES F iled.Aug. 21, M922. 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEAZTOR 8 &M 17 5,4

July 7, 1925.

H. C. GAMMETER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING STEREOTYPE PLATES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21," 192.2

.ZM/ENTOR July 7, 1925. 1,544,570 1 H. CAGAMMETER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING STEREOTYPE PLATES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 21, 192.2.

, jisrwwrax ATn s Patented July 7, 1925.

' UNITED STATES 1,544,57e PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY GAMMETER, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN MULTIG BAPH COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD OF APPARATUS FOR CASTING STEREOTYPE PLATES.

Application filed August 21, 1922. Serial No. 583,158.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY C. GAMMETER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland Heights, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Casting Stereotype Plates, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention'is concerned with the art of forming stereot pes and is directed to improvements in t e apparatus of casting stereotype plates.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of a novel apparatus for casting thin stereotype plates of such unusual thinness that it has been considered heretofore impossible to obtain.

'A morespecific object is to accomplish the casting of these -stereotype plates rapidly and accurately upon a matrix by simple, efficient and easily used means Another object of thepresent invention is the provision of an apparatus for carrying out my improved methodof molding stereotypes which are particularly adaptable for use on multigraph machines, the thickness of the plate from the back surface thereof to the type face corresponding to the height of the usual 'multigraph type which is approximately of an inch.

Other objects will becomeapparent from the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred means for carrying out the steps in my method of forming stereotype plates.

It has beemconsidered necessary, heretofore, in casting stereotype to provide a plate body or wall from to of an inch in thickness to obtain a uniform flow of cast metal from the pouring gate of the mold to the more remote surfaces of the matrix. By the use of my improved method, I am able to cast stereotype plates having corresponding printing surfaces, and, in addition thereto, obtain an unusually thin body. This is effected by controlling the heat conduction from the molten metal to the mold members in sucha manner that a uniform cross section is obtained between the type face and the backface in all sections of the plate with an entire'absence of flaws or. cavities in the typefaces or figures.

In carrying out the steps in my process, I support a matrix, which is formed in the usual manner, upon a mold member in juxtaposition and parallel to a second mold member which defines the back surface of the plate, the second member having a re placeable molding or lining surface comprising heat insulating material, such as sheet fibre, asbestos or ordinary news print paper.

I find, for instance, that in casting a stereotype plate having a body thickness of of an inch, that ordinarily news print paper, about three thousands of an inch in thickness, may be used to line the back molding surface-of the mold.

I will describe my method of forming stereotypes as applied to the casting of semi-circular stereotypeplates, such as may be conveniently and economically used in connection with a multigraph machine; the stereotype platesbeing adaptable for use in place of the usual printing form made up'by assembling individual type.

thin stereotype plate,'such as I have referrd to, 'm-ay be conveniently and successfully'cast by my methodin a molding apparatus, such as is illustrated in the drawings whereinFig. 1 is a planview of the molding apparatus with the mold members positioned for the casting of an arcuately formed stereotype plate; Fig.2 is a cross sectional elevation taken. substantially along the line 22of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken transversely of the mold members; Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary cross sectional views illustrating a convenient means for clamping or securing the matrix and non-conductive moldlining to the respective mold members, Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View taken through the gate of the molding apparatus; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a corner portion of the stereotype.

The molding apparatus may comprise a base or supporting member 10 having one end 11 thereof formed in the manner of a pedestal which supports a drag or concave matrix supporting member 12 and a cope or convex back forming mold member 13 curved surfaces of both members being parallel when the mold is assembled. The cope and drag members are of sufficient height to provide a gate or pouring space, the copemember having .an upper coniform surthe face 8 extending away from the inner surface of the drag member.

The drag member is rovided with matrix clamping means at eac side thereof which may also comprise part of the mold in forming the side margins or edges of the stereotype plate in a manner which will be presently described. The cope member is likewise provided with clamping means for engaging and securing the non-conductive linmg I The top edge of the cast plate is defined b the level to which the molten metal is poured there being no mechanical means shown for defining this edge, a margin or trimming line, however, may be formed by the matrix. I prefer to provide clamping means seto the inner molding surface thereof.

- curing the matrix to the dra member which may also comprise means or defining the side margins or vertical ed es 'of the arcuately formed stereotype w ile the bottom The cope member may be held III rigid re-- lation with the base member in any convement manner, as, for mstance, screw members 14 which may extend through the wall of the pedestal portion 11 and engage a bottom supporting flange 15 formed on the cope member 13. ,The drag member is arranged to be swung and shifted into co-operative relation with the cope member 13 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, about pin members 17 secured to the lower end of the drag member and which engage upwardly extending plates 18 mounted. upon the sides of the bed member 10. The pins 17 are arranged to engage the plates 18 insuitably formed grooves 19 to permit the drag member 12 to be shifted along the surface of the pedestal and wheh clear of the edestal ortion to permit the drag mem rto rop slightly whereupon the drag member may 'be swung about the center of the pin members 17 to a-horizontal position when they are resting in the depressed portion 19 of the grooves. Bracket 'members20 may be provided which support a handle 21 of any suitable insulating material to permit the manual swingin of the drag member immediately aftert e'moldin o eration. The bed may havean opening t rein to clear the handle when the drag member is swung downwardly to its horizontal position.

Suitable means' is provided for locking the respective mold members together. I prefer to have the locking action serve to more firmly secure the matrix and insulating sheeting'to-the drag and cope members respectively as will be presently set forth. v The l'cking mechanism may comprise U- shape handle levers 22 provided with handle portions 23 at their outer ends and having top and bottom legs or lever portions ivotally mounted on lever members 24. T e levertmembe rs arepreferably of a U shape whereby they may be secured to the back of the cope-gnember adjacent the sides thereof and extendover the sides of the drag member to the rear thereof whereby inner ends 22 of the lever members 22 may en- 1 gage camming or lockin blocks 25 secured to the rear face of the rag member. The hand levers. 22 may b sung outwardly about pin members 24. which secure the levers to U-shaped levers 24, clear of the drag member to a'position in the rear of the cope member.; This swingingmovement taking place about the pin members 24". I

find that such a lever arrangement is very effective in clamping or locking the respective mold members together. v

To separate the mold members; I prefer to use sunple parting means mounted upon the cope member and acting upon the sldes circular cam members 30 eccentrically "mounted upon a shaft 31,which is carried by suitable bracket members 32 secured to the back face of the cope member. A manually ope-rated lever 33 of any convenient form may be rigidly mounted upon the shaft member 31 whereby an upward movement of the handle 33 will cause the cam members 30 toebear against the side edges of the drag member and bring about a parting of the respective mold members.

The means for suspending and uniformly supporting the matrix within the mold when formed arcuately upon the drag member may comprise clamping bars 40 mounted on small arms 41 pivotally mounted upon supdrag member. The bars 40 may swing about the pivot rods 43. -These clamping bars of the drag member which may comprise porting blocks 42 secured to the sides of the bars 40 extendthe complete height'of the Idrag member 12 and the surfaces 40 thereof comprisemolding surfaces which define the side edges or margins"S"of the stereotype S. I prefer to also clamp the top edgeof the matrix to the drag member and for this purpose, I may provide-C clamps 50 which may engage an arcuate clamping band 16 which secures the top edge of .the matrix to the drag member. A similar arcuately formed band 26 may be used to clamp the bottom edge of the matrix to the drag mem-1 bottom of the mold.

her. This member serves also to close the A convenient means for clam ing the insulating lining to the cope mem er 13, may comprise flat spring members 45, secured to theback' surface of the c e member. These members may have a spring loop 45 which extends beyond the side edges of the cope member and curves inwardly to provide an engaging portion 45" and a finger portion 45 whereby the spring members may be grasped and deflected outwardly to permit the positioning f the side edges of the paper lining therebeneath.

The carrying out of the steps-of my process when forming an arcuate stereotype such as has been herein referred to and which the present apparatusis adapted to mold, is as follows The usual matrix M is Placed upon the 'inner arcuatesurface of the drag member 12, (the drag member .12 being in a horizontal position to permit convenient positioning of the matrix thereon), amtthe clamping bars 40 are swung inwardly with the clamp portions-4L0 engaging the side edges of the matrix. The matrix should be cut to the proper width whereby the side edges will be thus dis osed beneath the clamping portions A0 0 the bars, as illustrated in Fig. .3, the base serving to cor-' rectly position the matrix.

The bottom clamping band 26 and the top clamping band 16 are then positioned along the bottom and top edges ofthe matrix. The insulating lining L (preferably comprising thin unglazed news print paper) may then be placed u on the concaved face of the co e member, t e spring members 45 being de ected and then released to engage the edges of the insulating sheet, The upper portion of this sheet may be slightly stretched to engage a portion of the comform surface of the cope' member which affords the pouring gate of the mold. When the matrix and the insulating sheet are be 7 ing positioned on the arcuate surfaces of the drag and cope members respectively, they should be pressedwith sufiicient force to expel the air from between the matrix and the concave surface of the drag member, and

' from between the insulating sheet and the convex surface of the cope member.

The mold members are now conditioned for assembling and the drag member may be swung upwardlyto a vertical position and shifted in a horizontal direction into juxtaposition with the cope members. Theclamp members 50 may then be placed upon the .to edge of the drag member .in engagement with the top edge of the matrix. The spring clips 45 w ll now rest upon, the outer face of the clamping bars 40. q

The mold members will thus be positioned for locking and the locking lever mechanism may be swung about the ins 24 to bring the lever portion 22 of t e levers 22 into engagementwith the locking blocks 25. 1 A

complete inward movement of the levers 22 will thus draw the cope and drag members accurately together with a uniform arcuate space between the molding surfaces of the matrix and the insulating lining of the cope member. This locking movement likewise causes the side edges of the copemember to press the 'lining into engagement with the inner faces of the bars 40. The spring members 45 are thus deflected to a disengaging position, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

This locking movement also causes the bars 40 to firmly engage the edges of the matrix and likewise to engage the insulating lining L of the cope member and cause a further stretching thereof if the same is not in perfect engagement with the concavedsurface of the cope member.

The mold is nowv ready for the pouring operation which may be done in the usual manner by pouring the molten type'metal in the gate which is formed by the coniform surface of the cope member, which has been hereinbefore' described.

It will be noted that the pouring gate of the moldis lined and the metal, when being poured from the ladle back and forth along the coniform surface of the pouring gate,

will be insulated from the cope member,

while the upper extension of the matrix insulates the upper portion of the drag member therefrom. The molten metal will thus retain the major portion of its heat units andthe temperature thereof will be stereotype form may then be trimmed along a line formed by the matrix.

It is to be understood that my method of insulating surfaces of a molding apparatus:

to make feasible the casting of a thin stereotype'platehaving a uniform cross section is applicable tothe forming of fiat stereotype plates, as well as 'arcuate plates, and in fact is adaptable to the formation of stereotype plates of any shape.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that by the-use of my. method, it is Y possible to greatly decrease the weight of the com-.

stereotype plate without inany wag .plicating or increasing the pro uction Y material.

thereof. A'distinct advantage in obtaining a thin plate is to be found in the designing of printing, presses in that the rotatable elements or reciprocating elements which carry the stereotype may be of considerably less weight, inasmuch as they have to carry and move a stereotype plate of less weight. Furthermore, there is a saving oftime and This method of insulating the mold gmembers, while extremely simple in character, nevertheless results 'in a very economical production of. stereotype plates whereof the printing characters are of an accurate uniform height from the rear surface ofthe stereotype plate to the type surface.

- I claim: y

1. In an apparatus for casting stereotype A p lates,'the combination of a supporting base member, a cope member rigidly mounted thereon, and a drag member movably mounted on a base member and adapted to be swung from an upwardly facing exposed' position Where a matrix may be mounted on it into member.

position in cooperation with the cope 2. In an apparatus for casting stereotype plates, the combination of a base member, a vertical cope member rigidly mounted thereon, and a drag member pivotally and shiftably mounted on the base member and arranged to be swun from a horizontal matrix inserting positlon to a vertical cooperatingposition with said copemember. 3. In an apparatus for casting stereotype plates, the combination of a base member, a cope member rigidl mounted thereon, a I drag member 'shifta 1y mounted u on the base member whereby the drag menr r may be elevated from a horizontal matrix inserting position on the base member to a vertical cooperating position with the cope member, and means for clamping the matrix to the drag member comprising plate ,margin forming members mounted on the drag member and serving as a spacing means be- Eween the cope member and the drag memer. Y

4. In an apparatus for molding stereot pe plates, the combination of a base mem r, a cope member having a cone surface, means carried by the cope member for securing a sheet of heat insulating material upon a convex surface thereof, adrag member shiftably mounted upon the base member and arranged to be swungi'rom av horizontal to a vertical cooperating position with the cope me ber, said drag member having a concave surface, means carried by the drag member for securing a. matrix upon said concave surfaceand means for clamping the respective mold members together.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a base member, a cope member rigidly mounted upon a able drag member mounted upon the base member, means for securing a heat insulat-- ing lining upon the molding surface of the cope member, and means for securing a matrix to the drag member, said second named means being arranged to act upon said matrix and said lining when the respective mold members are brought into. cooperative relation. V

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cope member having means for securing a heat insulating lining to the molding surface thereof, and a drag member having means for securing a heat insulating lining in the nature of a matrix upon the moldm surface thereof, and means for clamping t e respective mold members together. p

7. In an apparatus of the character delmolding surface thereof, a relatively movscribed, the combination with a cope and drag members, of heat insulating means lining the surface of the mold-members, and

-mounted upon a base and provided with means for securing a heat insulating lining to the molding surface thereof, and a drag member'having means for securing a heat insulating lining to. the molding surface thereof, said last named lining comprising a matrix and both of the mold members having heat insulated extensions comprising the mold gate. v

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of adrag member, a cope member, and means for suspending a heat insulating lining within a molding cavity formedby bringmg the respective mold .members together.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combinationof a drag member having a concave surface, a matrix carriedthereby conforming to said surface, a cope member having a convex surface, heat insulating means in the nature of fibrous sheet material covering said convex surface, means for securing the material to the cope member, means for spacing the respective mold members to providea molding cavity when they are brought together and means for clamping the mold members together.

11. In an apparatus for casting stereotype plates, the combination of a basemember, a cope member rigid-lymo'unted upon a molding surface thereof, a relatively movable .drag member mounted upon the base member, means for securing a heat insulating lining upon the molding surface of the cope member, and means for securing a matrix to the drag' member, said second named means comprising .pivotally mounted side members carried by the drag member and arranged to act upon said matrix while defining the side margins of the stereotype plate when the mold is poured.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cope member V also space the cope and drag members apart having means for securing a heat insulating lining to the molding surface thereof, and a drag member having means for securing a heat insulating lining in the nature of a matrix upon the molding surface thereof, both of said means serving to maintain portions of the lining in place within a pouring gate between the cope and drag members, and means for clamping the respective mold members together.

13'. In an apparatus for casting stereotype plates, the combination of a, base member, a cope member rigidly mounted thereon, a drag member shiftably mounted upon the base member whereby the drag member may be elevated from a horizontal matrix insertin'g position to a vertical cooperating position with the cope member, and means for clamping the matrix to the drag member comprising side members mounted on the drag member and affording molding surfaces defining the side edges of the cast plate.

14. In an apparatus for molding stereotype plates, the combination of a base mem ber, a cope member having a convex surface, meanscarried by the cope member for securin a sheet of non-conductive material upon the convex surface thereof, a drag member shiftably mounted upon the base member and arranged to be swung from a horizontal to a vertical cooperating position with the cope member, said drag having a concave surface, means carriedby the drag member for securing the matrix-upon said concave surface, said means serving to a distance corresponding to a multigraph type height and affording molding surfaces defining the side margins of the cast plate.

15. An apparatus for casting curved stereotype plates, consisting of a mold member having a concave face, a stereotype matrix on such face, a cooperating mold member having a convex face, and a paper liner stretched on such convex face.

16. An apparatus forcasting curved stereotype plates, consisting of a mold member having a concave face, means for holding a stereotype matrix on such face, a cooperating mold member having aconvex face, and means for holding a paper-liner stretchedv about such convex face. i

.17. An apparatus for casting curved stereotype plates, consisting of a mold member having a concave face, means for holding a the latter holding means is'moved to idle position consequent upon the closing of the mold.- 1

stereotype matrix on such face, a cooperat- I In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature. 

